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Author Topic: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end  (Read 17612 times)

Offline ricardo1967

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #15 on: June 06, 2016, 12:30:59 PM »
Quote from: hemidakota on June 06, 2016, 12:17:01 PM
"...What do you all think? ..."

Well... since you asked, what I think is that I love the look of classic FED's with wide front track like Bruce's digger pictured below.
« Last Edit: June 06, 2016, 02:23:11 PM by ricardo1967 »
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dreracecar

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #16 on: June 06, 2016, 12:57:20 PM »
Now a days I would need the spindles since the KP angle if different on some
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Offline hemidakota

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2016, 12:34:13 PM »
Thanks for the help Bruce. I have spe spindles. This is kinda what I am after. Sorry stole the pic from rooman. My only concern is with a 36" wide, 5" drop axle @ 20 deg caster, the tie rod is going to be close to the top frame rail in my fed. Is there any options to get tie rods up a little higher, short spacers? bend in the steering arms? Or do I need to spend more time to figure exact drop that will work? Thanks guys for the input and sorry for the many questions.
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If it jams force it, if it breaks it needed replaced anyways

Offline rooman

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #18 on: June 11, 2016, 05:00:47 AM »
Just bend the steering arms to get the steering parts where they need to be. If you steer to the spindle (as in the photo) you will need to bend that arm as well so that the heim aligns correctly. When I bend that arm to drop it I follow Don Long's example and put the bends at an angle to the axis of the arm so that the end where the link attaches is pretty much parallel to the link.

Roo
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Yeah, I am from the south--any further south and I would have been a bloody penguin.

Offline hemidakota

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2016, 06:49:59 AM »
You should get spindles today Bruce. Thank you and talk to you soon.
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If it jams force it, if it breaks it needed replaced anyways

dreracecar

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2016, 01:26:47 PM »
Here you go
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Offline FEDNV

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2016, 09:06:40 AM »
That is really going to clean it up and look good.
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Offline hemidakota

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2016, 09:13:30 AM »
Very cool. Thank you Bruce. I will give you a call today.
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If it jams force it, if it breaks it needed replaced anyways

Offline hemidakota

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #23 on: January 29, 2017, 11:58:54 AM »
Turned out perfect. Thank you Bruce. Tie rod is just mock up and very bent. all the steering rods were horrible, very glad I did the change.
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If it jams force it, if it breaks it needed replaced anyways

Offline ricardo1967

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #24 on: January 29, 2017, 02:31:19 PM »
Quote from: hemidakota on January 29, 2017, 11:58:54 AM
Turned out perfect. Thank you Bruce. Tie rod is just mock up and very bent. all the steering rods were horrible, very glad I did the change.

Looks great Greg!
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Offline FEDNV

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #25 on: January 30, 2017, 11:09:22 AM »
Wow that look great Greg
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Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #26 on: January 30, 2017, 01:45:18 PM »
Did you end up with 20 degrees of caster as originally planned? That seems a little excessive to me and may be problematic for backing up and wheel shimmy. I know I've seen this much on older cars but I think ten degrees would be perfectly OK.
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Offline rooman

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #27 on: January 30, 2017, 02:26:35 PM »
Quote from: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on January 30, 2017, 01:45:18 PM
Did you end up with 20 degrees of caster as originally planned? That seems a little excessive to me and may be problematic for backing up and wheel shimmy. I know I've seen this much on older cars but I think ten degrees would be perfectly OK.

20 degrees is just about right for a front motor dragster. 10 is good for altereds and such.

Roo
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Yeah, I am from the south--any further south and I would have been a bloody penguin.

Offline hemidakota

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #28 on: January 30, 2017, 03:23:52 PM »
Thanks guys. Yes is at 20deg. Found bent rod ends, everything different sizes and just not anything good in the steering. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Will be mounting all new steering from the box forward soon.
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If it jams force it, if it breaks it needed replaced anyways

Offline ricardo1967

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Re: Changing from torsion front end to a-arm front end
« Reply #29 on: January 30, 2017, 03:43:54 PM »
Quote from: rooman on January 30, 2017, 02:26:35 PM
Quote from: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on January 30, 2017, 01:45:18 PM
Did you end up with 20 degrees of caster as originally planned? That seems a little excessive to me and may be problematic for backing up and wheel shimmy. I know I've seen this much on older cars but I think ten degrees would be perfectly OK.

20 degrees is just about right for a front motor dragster. 10 is good for altereds and such.

Roo
I think old diggers were in the 30 degree ballpark (e.g.: that's what's in Mark Williams print). The wheels leaning on the sides when maneuvering the car in the pit looks cool, but if I were redoing my car, it'd stick with 20 deg.
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